Bochco was diagnosed with leukemia in 2014 and underwent a stem cell transplant.

"Steven fought cancer with strength, courage, grace and his unsurpassed sense of humor," Arnold said in a statement, USA Today reported. "He died peacefully in his sleep with his family close by."

In a memoir published in 2016, Bochco wrote: "I think about life and death differently than before. I treasure life more, and fear death less. Life and its complications are simpler for me, now. I don't sweat the small stuff, as they say."